A copper coin was tossed out of the car window, spun leisurely a few times, and then stopped in front of him.
Your mother, I've bought her.
The rumble of the carriage echoed in the distance, carrying with it the heart-wrenching cries of a mother. Her eyes were filled with hatred as her small body struggled to crawl. After a long while, despite her best efforts, she still couldn't climb over the copper coin.
First, it rained drop by drop, then it rained in large swaths. Large raindrops hit the ground, splashing mud and creating puddles.
Heaven is crying again, Mother, where are you?
His vision blurred, and he collapsed limply, his eyes, struggling to focus, fixed on the paulownia board in the muddy water.
mother……
Do you want your mother to come back?
He couldn't tell if the voice he heard was male or female. He only remembered a fair hand appearing before his eyes and then picking up the copper coin.
Your wish has been heard; you will surely achieve your goal.
A ripple of sorrow hangs in the air, seeping into the short autumn of Xia County.
He didn't want to go out in this weather. But the thought of the person he hadn't seen for days made his heart itch uncontrollably. He walked casually in the rain, not using an umbrella, letting his dark robes get soaked.
Reaching the street corner, he suddenly stopped, his handsome eyes narrowing as he looked into the distance. He too had come in the rain, but the other man had an umbrella but wasn't using it, appearing distracted. It wasn't until they were very close that he noticed him.
"Ziyu." As if a beat late, Yu Zigui paused for a moment before noticing his wet black hair. "Did you forget your umbrella?"
Shangguan Yi didn't answer, but took the rain gear from her hand and sheltered her from the rain.
Matching her absent-mindedness, the two walked slowly in the rain.
"They've left the city," he said.
"Mm." She lowered her head. "My Ninth Senior Brother hasn't returned for several days. I'm going to bring him some clothes."
"Speaking of which, I didn't see Brother Fu today either." In the past few days, every time he came, he couldn't find Zigui. He and Fu Xian just disliked each other and left disappointed.
"Sixth and Eighth Senior Brothers are waiting in the county office. They heard that the silver ships heading north are about to arrive, and people from the capital have come to supervise the transport of grain. The county magistrate is very nervous."
Upon hearing this, a hint of sarcasm flashed in his dark eyes. "The battle in Sichuan has been going on for so long, and the front lines are spending money like water. Unfortunately, we've also encountered a flood. Of the thirteen provincial administrations, only a few in the south can still pay their taxes. This county may be small, but it's the first stop for the grain transport to the capital. No wonder His Majesty has sent people here in such a hurry."
As he spoke, a half-smile played on his lips as he looked down at her again. "Compared to the neighboring counties that are frequently looted by disaster victims, this place is quite peaceful. By using a feint to the east and a stunt to the west, the garrison commanders of the various counties dared not leave their posts without permission. The disciples of the Five Masters are truly extraordinary."
She smiled knowingly, then gazed into the rain. "At first, although I stayed, I didn't agree with what my senior brothers did."
His eyes shone brightly as he looked at me.
"The theory of the Five Greats is enlightening, but it is an unattainable dream. Where there are people, there is a world of martial arts; where there are interests, there is conflict. Today, clans and noble families are destroyed, but tomorrow, powerful families will rise again. Since the Spring and Autumn Period, how many countries have risen and how many have fallen? How many emperors have reigned throughout history? Since this is the case, why pursue a paradise that can never be reached? Only today, after leaving the city, did I understand."
She lowered her head, raindrops trickling down her hair and seeping into her collar. Following her gaze, Shangguan Yi looked down and saw a copper coin in her slender, white palm.
"Ziyu, you come from the north. Which family has the white crane gazing at the moon as their emblem?" she asked without looking up.
"The Xu family of the capital."
"Does anyone in his family hold an official position?"
"Xu's eldest son is currently the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a high-ranking official of the third rank, and a favorite of the emperor. Two days ago, he received an imperial decree to travel from the capital to the county to serve as the supervisor of grain transport."
She looked up in surprise and anger, only to see a knowing look in his spring-like eyes.
"The carriage carved with white cranes gazing at the moon has only recently entered the city. If you want to find that Lord Xu, just go out of East Street and turn right. That's Changrong Imperial Garden."
That night, the Changrong Imperial Garden was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and the gentle rain. On the stage, the music played, and a male actor dressed as a concubine bowed softly, giving the host a seductive wink.
Seeing that the Superintendent of Grain Transport was in a good mood, Magistrate Wang quickly seized the opportunity and presented him with a brocade book. "Your Excellency."
Xu Youtu initially took the booklet casually, but after carefully examining the list, he turned around. "What's this?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
"Your Excellency has had a long journey; this is merely a token of my respect," Magistrate Wang said with a humble smile.
"That's not a good idea."
Seeing his troubled expression, Magistrate Wang quickly approached. "Don't worry, sir, the items listed above were delivered to the magistrate's residence in the capital yesterday."
"How dare you act on your own initiative?" Xu Youtu said, feigning anger.
"I deserve to die, I deserve to die." Magistrate Wang bowed even lower.
Xu Youtu reluctantly raised his hand. "Alright, alright, get up."
The performance was considered complete at this point, and the host and guests drank and chatted happily until the first watch of the night before the banquet gradually returned to calm.
“Cheng’en, things are not the same as before. This batch of tribute silver cannot be neglected in the slightest.” Xu Youtu’s legs wobbled, and he slowly stood up with the help of his servants.
"Please rest assured, sir. I have dispatched county constables to guard the ship throughout the night, and with the addition of the original guards, there is no chance of anything going wrong."
Patting him on the shoulder, Xu Youtu hinted, "Do a good job. Jinan Prefecture is in dire need of a grain transport commissioner."
Superintendent of grain transport—what a lucrative position!
"Thank you for your promotion, sir! Thank you for your promotion, sir!"
Overjoyed, Magistrate Wang bowed deeply for a long time, his sleeves almost touching the ground, and only straightened up after the man had gone far away.
Although this gift was painful for him, it did have its purpose.
"Well done, Changyu." He looked at the Fu family clerk who had been attending the banquet until now, "When I become the grain transport commissioner, you will certainly receive your share of the benefits."